A MIDDLEWICH based company is celebrating after landing a contract that has created 40 new jobs for the town.

Innopac Ltd, a packaging specialist, won the contract from Lever Faberge to package and box the company's entire north west supply of the new Surf liquid washing capsules.

The contract has meant that the company has had to introduce a completely new production line within its Dalton Way site costing almost £400,000, a process which from start to finish has taken just six months.

To cope with the level of production required 40 new members of staff have been employed by Innopac to work in three shift patterns covering a continuous 24 hours a day production period.

The new production facility was unveiled last Friday, September 21, in front of a VIP audience which included Middlewich mayor, Clr Jacki Cox and the town's MP, Mrs Ann Winterton.

Mrs Winterton said: "It gives me very great pleasure to officially open the new production line here at Innopac Ltd.

"We have become so used to hearing bad news that it is great to hear a good news story, especially for Middlewich.

"I have been impressed by the rigorous standards employed by the company and amazed by the degree of regulation and monitoring that is necessary to ensure the product is produced correctly."

"I would like to offer my congratulations to everyone involved, especially to Innopac and the workforce, I hope it now goes from strength to strength."